Bedlam Farm is powered by strong women – Maria, Lulu and Fanny, Zelda and Biddy and Rosemary the sheep, Flo and Minnie, and Fate the border collie who loves sheep. We don’t forget Pearl, Rose, Frieda and Lenore.
Strong women are welcome her and thrive here. Red and I are the old farts of the farm, we sit around and stay out of the sun and shake off flies and read and type and hang out lie on our backs sometimes in repose.
Around us, strong women get it done.
Nicole came over again today to stack wood. She is a fierce and steady worker, she is almost finished with two cords of wood in two days, about three hours total. She may be the best wood stacker we have ever had, and we have had some good ones.
Nicole grew up on a farm, and loves hard work, she has at least three jobs, including one at the Cambridge Valley Vet, where Maria and I met her. She also helps care for the animals when we are away or busy. She is a terrific worker and a good friend, sometimes she comes with her son Keene, who works as hard as she does.
When I went out to check on her, she said she was fine. “Sorry,” she said, “I get red in the face when I stack wood.” Actually, she doesn’t. I get red in the face from watching her.
The young people around her have no aversion to work, and they know how to work hard. Nicole is a single mother and is saving up for a trip to the New Hampshire beach in July. She has already earned the hotel costs, about $600 and is now working to get enough money for food, gas, groceries, rides and games.
She figures she needs another $500. Keene, she says, eats like a dinosaur. She has jobs lined up weeks in advance.
Nicole takes a lot of pride in work and in her work. And who better to care for animals than a vet tech who loves animals. Nicole cared for Gus when he was sick, and that was a great relief for us.
She plans to finish the wood tomorrow. As soon as she does, I’ll order two more cords, and we will be nearly ready for the winter. I have no doubt Nicole and Keene will make it to New Hampshire for their vacation.